Facebook posting from April 15, 2012:
Odd experience -- still trying to take it all in:
Went to the Boise Public Library book sale to try to find sets of encyclopedias that were newer than what we have in the classroom out at the prison, so I was wearing my ID badge.
I forgot to take it off when I went into a restaurant for lunch with Annie. I had heard that many local restaurants hire ex-cons (e.g. tax break as an incentive.) The w aitress saw my ID and became extremely friendly. Turned out that all but one of the employees working on that shift were parolees. While she didn't necessarily like prison, she attributed her counseling treatment program there as turning her life around as she tries to make her break from drug abuse permanent. She said that the program taught her to be able to trust others, and that for the first time, she feels she truly has friends -- ones that will hold her accountable and that she can trust.
I didn't know her, as I work at a different prison -- but it was amazing how warm and appreciative she was of prison staff. Have to say it made my day! I've said that prisoners as a generalization have been the politest students I have ever had and now I would add: also the most appreciative.
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